LeBron James shared his excitement and praise for rookie Dalton Knecht after the Los Angeles Lakers guard erupted for a career-high 37 points in a thrilling NBA Cup win over the Utah Jazz.
Knecht’s explosive performance included tying the NBA rookie record with nine 3-pointers, leading the Lakers to a 124-118 victory.
James, who had spoken highly of Knecht when the Lakers drafted him in June, was quick to share his thoughts after the game.
“Everybody on the internet calls me a liar all the time… What am I now? I’ve been saying it… I watched Tennessee a lot. I did not think he was going to fall to us. I thought it would be impossible. I have no idea how that happened but very grateful and very happy that he’s here,” James said, via Spectrum SportsNet.
LeBron’s comments reflect his confidence in Knecht’s potential, especially after seeing him shine on the big stage. The rookie’s incredible shooting display on Tuesday night helped the Lakers extend their winning streak to six games, improving their record to 10-4.
Knecht’s 37 points were not just a career-high but also a testament to his sharpshooting ability. He scored 21 points in the third quarter alone, including four consecutive 3-pointers that had the Crypto.com Arena buzzing.
His ninth triple of the night came early in the fourth quarter, giving Los Angeles a commanding 25-point lead and tying the rookie single-game 3-point record. The previous record was held by Rodrigue Beaubois, Yogi Ferrell, and Utah’s own Keyonte George.
James, who contributed 26 points and 12 assists in the win, was visibly proud of his rookie teammate’s performance. Alongside Anthony Davis’ 26 points and 14 rebounds, and Austin Reaves’ 17 points, the Lakers secured their sixth consecutive victory.
Knecht’s rise has added a much-needed scoring spark to the Lakers’ offense. Since joining the starting lineup four games ago, the rookie has averaged 24.3 points per game, providing a significant offensive boost alongside veterans like James and Davis.
For James, the win wasn’t just about the team’s performance—it was about seeing his faith in Knecht pay off. “I knew exactly what we were getting when he fell to [number] 17,” James added.
